Log-splitting machine.



A. HUNTER. Y LOG SPLITTINGMACHLNE. APPLICATION msn MAR. e. 1918.

1,283,195. Patented Oct. 29, 1918.

Q I L@ @gsilf ALBERTHUNTER, 0F SPOKANE, WASHINGTON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

LOG-SPLITTING MACHINE.

lPatented @et 29, 1918.

Application filed Maren e, 191s. semina 220,771.

To all whom t may concern:

"Be it known thatv I, ALBERT HUNTER, a citizen ofv the United States, residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Log-Spl1tting Machines, of whichthe following is specification'.

The Ypresentinvention relates to improvements in log splitting machines under the broad class of wood working machines, and is of the type employing a blade or knife in the shape of an ax for splittingthe log by being forced therethrough, either manuf ally or bypower. The prime object ofthe invention is the provision of a comparatively inexpensive log splitting machine that is simple both 1n construction and operation, and portable,

and-designed especially for use in `splitting logs that are too large for the usual` wedge and mawl used for this purpose. The machine is especially adapted for splitting cord wood in four foot lengths, from butts or logs that are live to seven to` eight f eet in diameter, and the wedge shaped knife blade may be used to split the log in as many sections as are desired. p

The invention consists in certain novel combinations and arrangements of parts as will be set forthin the accompanying specification and claims.

In the accompanying drawings one complete embodiment of the invention is illustrated, constructed and arranged according to the best mode I have so far devised for the practical application of the principles of the invention. l

Figure 1 is a side eleyationof the machine applied to a log and in position ready for use.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the supporting frame showing the driving means for the blade, or knife.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail View of the wedge blade partly broken away for convenience of illustration, showing the manner of attaching the blade or head on the screw bar shank.

1n the preferred embodiment of the 1nvention as shown in the drawings a U-shaped frame 1 is utilized and provided with a cross head 2 of considerable length, and fashioned with studs as 3, 3, on its outer face to impinge against and engage the end of the logL as applied thereto'. The splitting machine it should be understood, is supported on the log that it is designed to split, and for this purpose the attaching chain 4 is utilized, being attached at one end to the threaded eyebolt 5 that is passed through an opening' (not shown) in `one end of the cross head, and a nut G on the bolt is used to anchortheend of the lchain at this point. The free end 7 of the chain is passed around the log, longitudinally, and is then caught in the forkedend 2" ofthe cross head 2, so that by turning the nut 6 the frame may be clamped rigidly and securely to the log as shown. i

The knife'bladeoraxdiead 8 used to split the lo'g is the usual wedge shape device and is passed throughan` open slot inthe lcross head to engage the" end of the log through which it is to be forced in splitting it open.

The knife blade is furnished with a socket in which the shank 9 of a threaded screw bar 10 is fitted, and a cross pin 11 passed through the shank and knife secures the stem in the knife head. As shown in the drawings the log is positioned horizontally during the operation of splitting, and the screw bar extends horizontally being supported in the cross brace 12 and end cross bar 1a of the frame. A large gear wheel 13 having a. threaded'hub 14 is located on the screw bar between the twlo braces 12 and 1, and the spacing sleeves 15 15 are utilized between the wheel and the braces. The sleeves have plane interiors and do not engage the threaded screw bar, but the hub of the gear wheel does engage the screw bar, and while the wheel does not move laterally, it is designed to move the screw bar, and the knife thereon, longitudinally through the threaded connection.

The large gear Wheel is driven through the instrumentality of the small pinion 16 on the countershaft 17, and the two bevel gears 1S and 19 may be selected to drive the shaft through the medium of the intermediate bevel wheel 20 supported at the end of the iieXible shaft 21, in the frame 1. A shiftable yoke 22 on the shaft 17 has a pair of notched heads 22 and 22a and these heads are de signed to co-act with the clutch members 2?, and 24 on the bevel gears 19 and 18 respectively, so that when the yoke is shifted by means of the lever 25, the gearing may be actuated through the flexible shaft either to force the wedge knife into the log and split it, or Withdraw thc knife from the log after splitting it.

In use, assuming the machine attached to the log, as described, and operated by a motor, as a gasolene engine to operate the flexible shaft, the lever 25 is shifted to engage the bevel pinion 19 With the gear 2O and the shaft 17 and small pinion 16 are driven causing the rotation of the gear Wheel 13, and the rotation of this gear, of course, causes the screw bar to be moved tothe right forcing the sharp edge 0f the Wedge knife into the center of the log a suficient distance until the log is split open, and then by reversing the lever 25 the screw bar may be Withdrawn by the continuous operation of the shaft 21, bevel gear 20 and pinion 18. The log may be split repeatedly, into as many sections as desired, and may then be cut into lengths suitable for use, or be used in its full length.

Claims.

1. In a log splitting machine the combination with a frame including a cross head and an attaching chain connected to said cross head and encircling the log longitudinally, of a longitudinally movable threaded Copies of this patent may be obtained for bar having a knife thereon and supported in the frame, a driven gear having internal of a longitudinally movable bar supported Y in the frame and provided atits end With a splitting' knife, and means for moving said bar to split the log and for reversing the movement to Withdraw the knife.

3. The combination in a splitting machine for logs with a frame including a cross head, a chain having its ends detachably and adjustably connected to the ends of the cross head and encircling the log longitudinally, of a longitudinally reciprocable bar having screw threads thereon, a splitting knife at one end' of the bar, a driven gear Wheel provided With internal threads on the bar, and a train of gears for driving saidl gear Wheel, including reversing means. Y

In testimony whereof I aiiiX my signature.

ALBERT HUNTER.

Washington, D. G. 

